Aria’s POVThe room was full of tension. Two healers stood beside him, monitoring his vitals, while his parents stayed with him for support. I couldn’t help but notice that everyone in the room kept glancing at the clock as his time got closer.“L...” He struggled to speak, looking in my direction with drooping eyes.The other people in the room turned their attention to me, before they continued what they were doing after giving me small bows.I gave him a small smile as I approached his bedside. “You’ve always been so stubborn. I told you to rest and save your strength.”His eyes glinted with amusement, but he couldn’t form the words. I knew what he wanted to say. Then he gave me a questioning look. “Al.....Ki...” He mumbled weakly.I nodded. “Yes, I’ll make sure I introduce you to the Alpha King.”Cole had made me promise that when he died, I would introduce him to the Alpha King. It had been a very strange request, but there was no way I was going to say no to his request.The lig
Aria's POVI began imagining scenarios where Jade took over, and began living my life.Jade scoffed. ‘With how boring your life is, I’m not interested. No, thanks.’“Stay away from my thoughts,” I snapped.‘Tick tock, Aria. Time is going.’ Jade reminded me.I glanced at the clock. Ten minutes left...Oh, moon goddess, please don’t let me make a mistake that I would regret.“Alright, tell me what you need, Jade” I stated as determination coursed through me. It was time to save Cole.‘Just you. You just need to make a verbal proclamation, and the rest is from my side.’ Jade replied.I nodded, taking a deep breath as I prepared to do something strange.‘Repeat after me,’ Jade muttered, ‘I, Aria Blackwood,’“I, Aria Blackwood,” I repeated.‘Give full control to Jade in my right mind.’“Give full control to Jade in my right mind.” I repeated.‘So mote it be.’ She said“So mote it be.” I repeated.I glanced at the clock. Five minutes left...“Is that all, because I don’t feel any differe–”
Aria’s POV I watched in horror as the healers announced Cole’s death. My breath caught in my throat, and my body felt like it was sinking into the floor. It had all been in vain. We were too late. We couldn’t save him. A sense of numbness settled within me as I stared at the lifeless body on the bed. His skin was so pale, and his tiny chest was motionless. Jade took advantage of the crying parents and the chaos to slip away from the room. “We were too late,” I murmured, as the pain rushed through me. “No, we weren’t.” Jade mumbled, walking away from the room. I was confused. “What do you mean? He is dead!” I asked. Jade scoffed, almost sounding amused. “You were the one that said you wanted it subtle. The boy will be fine. The curse had eaten into him deeply, so it might take a little while before he wakes up.” I shook my head, I was finding it hard to believe her. False hope would only hurt worse. “But his heart has stopped,” I argued. “No, it hasn’t. I put his body into a for
Aria's POV When I got back to my room, I still had a smile on my face as I closed the door behind me. “Someone had a great day,” Knox commented with a small smile on his face as he watched me. My smile widened, and I placed a soft kiss on his lips. “Yes, yes I did.” I whispered against his lips. “I’m glad to hear that. Tell me all about it, let me know who I need to reward for making my mate have a wonderful day.” He replied, wrapping his arms around my waist, and pulling me closer to him. “Well, in that case, you would need to meet Cole. He is responsible for making me this happy.” I said, placing my hand on his chest. Knox’s grip on my waist tightened slightly, and his eyes narrowed. “Cole?” He repeated slowly. His tone caused me to pause for a moment, furrowing my eyebrows at him. “What is it?” I asked in concern. His eyes flashed crimson, and his nose flared. “Cole? Huh? Tell me all about this Cole guy that’s causing you so much joy. I would like to personally thank him.” H
Aria’s POV Disappointment washed through me as I stared up at the ceiling. I glanced at Knox sleeping heavily beside me, and I frowned slightly. Was something wrong with me? Why didn’t he do it this time? I had really thought this was it. I had thought that this was the moment that Knox would take this to the next level by marking me, but he didn't. ~Flashback~ Knox’s eyes glowed red – Fenrir was in control. His canines grew longer, and his claws grew sharper as he pinned me to the bed. As he thrust into me, he lowered his head to my neck. Without any hesitation, I turned my head to the side to give him easy access to do what he needed to. His breath was hot against my neck, and I shivered in anticipation. His tongue slipped out and ran along the side of my neck, right where his mark should be. His canine scraped against my neck, and I released a breathy sigh. Finally, he was going to do it. I thought to myself. Suddenly, he tensed on top of me, and began breathing heavily, clench
Aria’s POVI clenched my fists in annoyance.“Stop calling Knox’s words ‘bullshit.’ I don’t appreciate that. He is my mate, and he is overprotective, but I love him for that.” I said firmly, refusing to answer to her question.There was a long silence after my words, and I stood up from where I sat at the edge of the bathtub, fully expecting Jade to stay silent after that.However, a low chuckle echoed in my mind, causing me to pause. Jade chuckled in amusement.‘Now, this is what I am talking about. Refusing to take nonsense, and firmly shutting down any form of disrespect. I'm proud.’ She said, still chuckling.“What?” I asked, even more confused.‘I was taunting you, Aria. I wanted to see if you would get riled up, and shut down my disrespect, or if you would just roll over and let it slide.’ She replied, still sounding amused.“Oh,” I muttered. I didn’t know what to say.‘What you just did now just made me believe that there is probably some hope for you,” Jade teased, and I rolle
Aria's POVHis body visibly tensed at my question. His jaw clenched, and his eyes avoided mine. “Aria… I—”“Don’t give me excuses,” I interrupted, keeping my voice firm even though. “I’ve waited. I’ve been patient, and I’ve never pressured you or brought it up. But every time you get close to doing it, you pull back. Why?”He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. “It’s not that simple.”“Then explain it to me,” I pressed. “Because right now, it feels like you’re holding something back. And I’m starting to wonder if you want to get a strong, powerful female to mark as your Luna, then keep me in the shadows as a kind of housewife mate.”It was so painful to think about.His eyes flashed with frustration, and for a second, they flashed red. “I will never do something like that,” he growled, his eyes darkening. “You’re my mate, my Luna, and my Queen. Always.”“Then why won’t you mark me?” My voice cracked slightly, no matter how much I tried to steady my voice.Knox stood abruptl
Aria's POV“Keep that stance straight,” Hunter snapped, circling around me slowly with his sharp eyes watching me. “If your feet are off balance, you’ll be on the ground before you can blink.”I adjusted my footing, with a small groan. I was sweating, even though the early morning air was cold. Hunter's training was ruthless.“Better,” Hunter said coldly. “Now again. Faster this time.”He lunged toward me without warning. I barely had time to react, sidestepping his attack to avoid being hit.“Not bad,” he said, stepping back with a cold smirk. “At least you’re not as useless as I thought.”I glared at him, wiping sweat from my forehead. “Gee, thank you for the confidence boost.”Hunter chuckled darkly. “I’m not here to boost your confidence, Luna. I’m here to make sure you can survive.”I rolled my shoulders, preparing myself for another attack. I was getting used to his words. “Survive what exactly? You?”He paused, raising an eyebrow at me with an unreadable expression on his face.
Knox's POVTrigger Warning! Blood And Gore because Knox is Pissed!The vampire chuckled mockingly, his fangs were stained red. “You were betrayed by a member of your beloved pack. I guess you’re not as loved as you think.”I growled and landed a punch into his midsection, hard enough to make the chains shake violently. He bent over, gasping for air.“Who is it?!” I roared.“I don’t know,” he groaned through the pain. “I wasn’t told. The higher ranks didn’t tell us. All we know is that a mutt gave us everything we needed—information, access, weaknesses.”I clenched my jaw so hard, and my claws dug into my palms. “You’re saying someone from my pack helped you take my mate?”He looked up at me, blood leaking from the corner of his mouth. He had a very smug look on his face. “Not just helped,” he said slowly, deliberately. “Delivered her.”My breath caught.But the bastard wasn’t done. There was a wicked glint in his eyes that caused me to pause.“Oh, Alpha King,” he hissed, his voice dri
Knox's POVI lunged for Cornelius, grabbing him by the collar and slamming him against the wall. His eyes snapped open, and widened with fear.“Where is she?” I roared, my voice blending with Fenrir’s “Where’s Aria?!”He coughed, shaking in fear. “I—I don’t know,” he wheezed.My grip tightened. “What do you mean by that?” I growled. “I saw you take her. You took her away from the fight.”Cornelius blinked, shaking his head frantically. “I was—I was taking her to safety. She was hurt, and—and… losing too much blood. But then—then a vampire came out of nowhere. I tried to stop it, but it knocked me out.”My heart dropped to my stomach, and my breath caught.“No…” I breathed out in horror, shaking my head frantically. I tightened my grip on his collar. “No! I don’t believe you! Tell me what the hell happened!” I roared.Cornelius flinched, trembling in fear. “Y-You…have…to… to believe me, Alpha. I-I tried to save…her. But the vampire was too strong.”Fenrir snarled inside me, unconvinced
Knox's POVIt was the worst feeling ever.That feeling of losing control, while you watch yourself doing pure evil.I could still feel it, the feeling of her flesh against my claws, and the warmth of her blood. I could still feel the horror in my bones when I realized it was her. Aria. My mate. My everything.And I hurt her.Fenrir roared inside me in pain, just as shattered and broken as I was. We were both drowning in guilt and rage. Rage at ourselves for what we had done to our mate. So we turned that rage outward.We tore through the vampires like savages, allowing our rage to take over as we decimated them. It was easier to rip them apart than face what we had done. It was easier to destroy them than think about the way Aria had cried out in pain because of us.No matter how much I tried to think, I didn’t know how it happened. One moment, we were all over each other, lost in passion. I was about to mark her. My fangs were hovering just above her skin…And then something snapped.
Aria's POVThe stranger was pale, tall, with red eyes. My heart dropped into my stomach.A vampire.Cornelius struggled against his grip, “I…I did…what you t…told me to…”My heart pounded in my chest as I realized that Cornelius and the vampire were working together. How?I clutched my belly tightly, as I struggled to breathe. My throat burned as I took in air.‘Please,’ I prayed silently to the moon goddess, ‘Please let my baby be okay. Please.’The vampire tilted his head, looking almost thoughtful as he glanced between Cornelius and I, then he nodded and released Cornelius.“Yes,” the vampire said smoothly, with a deep, cool voice, “Yes, you did everything.”My vision was turning dark. I was losing consciousness, no matter how much I fought to stay awake.Cornelius sighed in relief, holding his throat. He opened his mouth to speak, but the vampire raised a hand fluidly, cutting him off.“But you also did what you weren't told to.” The vampire added.Cornelius gaped. “Wha—”“Lord Vi
Aria's POVTrigger Warning!!! A Lot Of Violence Ahead!!!The vampire lunged. I screamed, throwing my arms up to shield myself. My mind kept screaming one thing over and over again.My baby. My baby. My baby.I braced for the pain, wishing I could tell Knox that I loved him no matter what.But the pain never came.Instead, a loud crash echoed through the hall as something massive slammed into the vampire with brutal force, throwing him against the wall so hard it cracked.I blinked in shock as the vampire released a cry of pain, with fear in his eyes.A creature with black fur and dancing shadows around its fur stood between me and the vampire with crimson eyes that were so familiar that my eyes welled up with tears.Fenrir.He released a deep growl. I could feel the vibration from the ground beneath me. The shadows danced around his large frame like a storm. He stood tall over everything, looking more like a demon than a wolf.The vampire staggered to his feet, snarling at him. But Fe
Aria's POVPain surged through my body with every movement, and my blood left a trail behind me as I stumbled through the hallways. My vision blurred as I walked, and every breath I took burned my throat.I just needed to get to the clinic. Everything would be fine.Suddenly, a loud boom echoed through the halls, followed by screaming. The floor trembled under me.What the hell?My heartbeat increased in panic. I limped faster.Then I heard the sounds of growls, snarls, and more screams. They were getting closer now.My breath hitched as I perceived a scent that I had never smelled before, but I knew what it was. Blood. Death. Vampires.A door nearby slammed open, and a young pack member burst out, her eyes wide with terror. She came to a stop the moment she saw me.“L-Luna!” she gasped, rushing toward me.I tried to wave her off, but she reached for me anyway to steady me. “You’re bleeding so much, we need to—”“There’s no time,” I rasped, holding her arm. “You need to run. Get out o
Aria’s POV“No, I’m not running away,” I muttered, turning back.‘You’re a fool!’ Jade roared in my head, her voice was filled with frustration and panic. ‘You’re bleeding out, and you're choosing this?!’“Maybe,” I whispered, my voice shook, and my throat felt raw. “But I’m not leaving him.”Jade snapped, ‘And how do you think you’re going to help him?! Huh?! With what, exactly?! Love and prayers?’I opened my mouth to answer… but nothing came out.I didn’t know what I could do, that was the truth, but all I knew was that he needed me.But it was Rhea who answered.Her voice was soft but firm. ‘Mate needs us.’That was her only response. Jade groaned. “Please kill me.”I took another step towards Knox, then another. My body felt weak from the blood loss, but I didn't stop.Knox was still on his knees, groaning, and shaking violently. His eyes were still changing colours as he fought for control. The black veins were stretched throughout this body now.“Knox,” I whispered.No response
Aria’s POV“K…K..nox?” I stammered, trying to inch away, but that was impossible as he had me pinned to the bed.He snarled at me, his eyes were changing colour. They were not the shade of red that I was familiar with. It was like an odd mixture of dark red and black.“F..Fen..Fenrir?”He released a menacing growl, and lifted his hand. I gasped in horror as I watched his hands and fingers change into claws.I quickly brought my knee up, successfully slamming it between his legs.Knox cried out in pain, and I used that split second to scramble out from beneath him, shifting to the other end of the bed.He recovered fast, snarling at me with pure hatred. I watched his canines elongate, and saliva dripped down his mouth.“K…K-Knox?” I stammered again even though I knew that it wasn’t Knox looking back at me, or even Fenrir. That thing was not my mate.‘Mate,’ Rhea's voice whimpered in my head, but I ignored it. I needed to focus, to get out of here alive.I kept my eyes on him. He was st
Aria’s POV“I have to be honest with you, Aria. I was very reluctant. Even when I remembered, I pretended not to.” Knox said softly, staring into my eyes.My heart clenched in my chest as his words. “Why?” I asked, trying to keep my voice from breaking. I had also remembered, but there had been so many things coming up that had stopped me from asking him about it.“Because I was scared. I felt like I would be tying you down, when you didn’t really know the kind of person I really was. I…” he trailed off with a sigh.I waited patiently for him to talk, ignoring the burning ache in my lower regions.“I…I thought you might want to leave me if you found out the horrible things I have done.” he said, averting his eyes from mine.I raised my hand and held his face, feeling his stubble against my palm, making him look back at me. “And now?” I asked softly.He smiled, his eyes glinted with love. “Now? Now I know that I was very stupid to think that.”My lips twitched, “And what are you going